Ukraine and Moldova launch ALIGN: a European project to advance gender equality, inclusion and ethical governance in sport (4-5.05.2026, Kyiv)
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, the National Olympic and Sports Committee of the Republic of Moldova, the University of Vienna and Impact Force have jointly launched ALIGN — Advancing Leadership, Inclusion, and Gender Equality in Neighbourhood Sports with Europe — at a kick-off meeting in Kyiv, bringing together partners and stakeholders from across Ukraine, Moldova and the European Union.
KYIV, 4-5 May 2026, Co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Sport Capacity Building programme, the ALIGN project runs from April 2026 to March 2028 and is delivered by four organisations: the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (project coordinator), the National Olympic and Sports Committee of the Republic of Moldova, the University of Vienna and Impact Force and supported by the International Olympic Committee. ALIGN aims to strengthen inclusive, transparent and ethical governance in sport systems across Ukraine and Moldova, while contributing to broader European cooperation in sport.
ALIGN responds to a moment of accelerated change in sports governance across Europe’s eastern neighbourhood. More women and diverse voices are stepping into leadership in Ukraine and Moldova, but institutional structures have not always kept pace. The project addresses that gap directly — turning today’s momentum into structural reform that outlasts the project itself.
Speaking at the project launch, Vadym Guttsait, President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, said: “Sport is more than sport — it shapes how we govern, make decisions and create opportunities. In Ukraine’s current reality, inclusive governance has proven to be a tool of resilience and recovery. As coordinator of ALIGN, we bring together strong partners to turn shared European and Olympic values into practical change — making governance more inclusive, transparent and impactful across Ukraine, Moldova and the wider region.”
The project follows a three-phase reform cycle: Understand, Equip, Transform. It begins with a comprehensive needs assessment of National Olympic Committees and national federations in both countries. It then provides a localised catalogue of European and Olympic governance resources in Ukrainian and Romanian. The final phase focuses on implementation. This includes two national strategic action plans, in-person leadership workshops in Ukraine and Moldova, and mentorship programmes. A multilingual self-paced digital training tool will also be developed and remain freely available to trainers, athletes, federations and grassroots clubs.
Pedro Dias, Gender Equality and Inclusion Manager at the International Olympic Committee, said: “ALIGN reflects exactly the kind of collaborative effort needed to achieve gender equality in sport. Advancing gender equality in sport is a shared responsibility, and this project brings together the right stakeholders to deliver concrete impact. The IOC will follow its progress closely, support the consortium where appropriate, and help amplify its results globally. We expect ALIGN not only to deliver impact in Ukraine and Moldova, but also to generate tools and knowledge that can benefit the wider region and the Olympic Movement as a whole.”
Olga Danko, Project Lead of ALIGN at the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, concluded: “ALIGN is designed as a reform process, not a one-off intervention. By understanding the real challenges faced by federations, equipping leaders with practical tools, and supporting implementation through national action plans, we aim to embed governance that is inclusive, transparent and accountable. The long-term objective is to create a model that can be sustained locally and replicated across the region.”
As ALIGN moves into implementation, it positions sport as a driver of institutional reform and social progress in Europe’s eastern neighbourhood. By embedding inclusive governance practices and building long-term capacity, the project aims to deliver impact that extends beyond Ukraine and Moldova — contributing to stronger, more resilient and more equitable sport systems across the region.
About the Project
ALIGN (Advancing Leadership, Inclusion, and Gender Equality in Neighbourhood Sports with Europe) is an Erasmus+ Sport project co-funded by the European Union, working to make sport governance in Ukraine and Moldova more inclusive, transparent, and aligned with EU and Olympic standards. Implemented from April 2026 to March 2028, the project is led by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine in partnership with Olympic Moldova, the University of Vienna (Austria), and Impact Force (Ukraine). ALIGN supports National Olympic Committees, sports federations, and leaders through research, practical tools, training, and mentorship. Its goal is to embed gender equality and inclusive governance into the structures of sport, creating lasting systemic change, with project results and digital resources sustained for at least five years beyond its completion
The ALIGN project is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.